A thick amount of dust choked the air, as everyone coughed out, relieving their clouded airways. The pit seems to have increased in size due to whatever collided amidst it.
Disintegrated patches of earth sank in, diminishing the spacing by an inch.
In the spectators' region, bodies of each killed or injured lay, the structure held together using sludge and gooey waste proving its ineffectiveness, prompting it to collapse.
Michael had been thrown from the impact to the pit walls and got buried by rubble from the structure. Nonetheless, that couldn't humble him as he burst out with a leap, descending to a smoother floor.
"You!!" Michael exclaimed, as he recognized the figure emerging from the dust. "I had sent for you to be called, but not to cause destruction to my domain upon your arrival."
"Well, you maggots earned that much for your way of life. Either way, I am here for the meeting, but first..." Kenny's gaze turned to Damon, who had been protected from the impact by Kenny's wind barrier, which left him with no scratch whatsoever.
"What are you doing here?!!"
At the same time, Kenny glanced at the mangled body of what was once known as Brooks, or what was left of him.
Although part of his body was crushed by some debris, Kenny still knew that was once a human. Either way, he did not care.
"Michael, why's Damon in the middle of your crazy-ass ring? And by the looks of it, been in a battle?" Kenny asked Michael sternly, with a fierce look.
"Oh, I didn't know he's the Damon kid. Oh well." Michael replied, his tone compliant. 'Fuck!! I didn't know that's the kid Kenny coexists with, the one he said I should stay away from.'
Damon just had a baffled look, unaware of what was happening.
Michael, who once stood on a high majestic horse that soared through the sky, staring at people beneath him and referring to them as maggots, was easily humbled simply by Kenny's appearance.
It was crystal clear that they had a sense of familiarity with each other, though the purpose remained unknown.
"Oh, no no no. He hasn't been in any fight. I was just training him before you 'dropped by'. Right, Damon?" Michael said, with a gesture that reeked of concealment.
Damon acknowledged Michael's gesture, although he wanted him to face the consequences for his actions of playing with his life.
Yet Damon decided to comply. He could use this as an advantage, and he also wanted Kenny to remain unaware of the fact he had an ability, at least for now.
He preferred not to be in the spotlight and to accumulate his power in the shadows. He wasn't a Curseweaver, and he had no knowledge of what he was.
Although his secret might have been sold to plenty who observed the match, Damon could somehow cut a deal with Michael, or so he thought.
"Well then, Damon, the matter of your presence here might be put on hold for now," Kenny said. "And Michael, let's begin the meeting I was called for?"
"Right. Let's go somewhere more comfortable," Michael said, gesturing for Kenny to accompany him.
...
In a room emitting the shrouded air of shadows lurking in each corner, the structure was designed by an amateur who had no sense of architecture and probably used the blueprint of a children's coloring book.
It was evident that the structure was built a long time ago, from the ancient environment exuding from its surface that could narrate tales.
Cavities and cracks were patched up with the muddied white, nutritionless soil of the earth of the slums. Yet, the foundation still stood its ground, unwilling to quiver.
There, amidst the desolate interior, individuals sat with grim visages, as the air became dense to the point where breathing seemed unachievable.
A man who seemed to be suffering from malnutrition, with a body mass of a broomstick, walked cautiously and held a tray with a glass of water on it.
Each step he took was with caution, as the air itself could decapitate anyone.
His hands quivered as he placed the glasses on the table for the guests and his master.
Such beings existing in his presence was an honor, though the true reality was fear pounding in his heart.
Any wrong move and his master would rip out his heart and eat it; even breathing loudly could be fatal.
The moment the water was dropped, he exited the room quietly and with courtesy.
"I don't want your bacteria-infested water. From the yellowish color, one could guess where it came from," Kenny said, breaking the daggering silence.
"Hmm," Michael said. "The rarity of food drove us to cannibalism due to our region, and what would you expect if rainy days are the same. So the yellowish liquid from us quenches our taste."
"That's revolting, though I don't blame you," Kenny said. "So, why was I called?"
"We're ready for the escape plan. We can't tolerate staying in the slums any longer. We've been trapped here for years, abandoned by the rich and powerful to die.
"Most of us might be seen as the scum of the earth, but we're still human. I don't care about the war humanity is facing; I just want to be free and seek vengeance rather than die here from starvation or become someone's next meal."
"So, I suggest we take our freedom and screw anyone who stands in our way to salvation." Michael announced. There might be joy when he feeds on humans flesh, however, he preferred reveling in the act without being caged in like an animal.
"The reason I even proposed the offer to escape was mainly because of mine and Damon's survival. A scum like you deserves to rot here," Kenny said with dead eyes. "Now, the problem between us and freedom is that metal door."
Only a few people knew about the door: Kenny, Michael, and Damon. If it were known by anyone else, war could arise, and everyone would do anything to break through; however, that would be futile since the door's resistance was at its maximum.
Not to mention the abnormally sized man-eating rats that lingered around it.
'We all have a thirst for revenge; hatred burns in each of our hearts. We are like animals with rabies, with the urge to bite when let out of our cages. How satisfying would that be?' Damon thought. Humans are animals that need to be in the wild.
They are known to be vicious, greedy, and thirsty for power. However, when they are kept in cages for long, they become even worse than they initially were.
Ding!!
❰ Due to the host's success in surviving this long, the system commends you. You can now choose your path to power. ❱
❰ The following paths are available based on the host's criteria: ❱
〘... 〙
*****